Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made this statement at the March 16 reception for Lao Politburo Member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun Sisoulith who is on a visit to Vietnam to co-chair the sixth friendship meeting between the two countries' ministries of foreign affairs.

Mr. Trong praised the co-operation between the two ministries in recent years, expressing his belief that they will continue to co-ordinate closely to boost information and experience exchanges and implement co-operation agreements reached by their parties and governments.

He suggested that the two ministries should work together to organise events and festivals to celebrate the Year of Viet Nam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship 2012.

Party Leader Trong expressed his pleasure at Laos' achievements in the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 9th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and hoped that the country would attain greater results in its renewal process.

Deputy PM Sisoulith conveyed warmest regards from Lao Party General Secretary and State President Choummaly Sayasone to Vietnam's Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

He emphasized that the Lao Party, State and people would make efforts to develop long-lasting relations between the two countries.